Health and Wellness Blog

Most of us probably don't get enough sleep, or as much as we would like to given our fast-paced lives. So I'm sure that some of you may have wondered what exactly this does to our bodies, medically speaking. Deep down we sense that when we don't get a good night's rest, we just don't feel right.  

Sleep deprivation can have many causes but it often occurs due to sleep disorders.

   Consequences of sleep deprivation:

• decreased alertness, performance
• memory and cognitive impairment
• relationship problems
• increased risk of injury at work, driving, etc.
• lower sex drive
• depression
• premature aging of skin
• weight loss disturbance (lack of sleep increases your appetite and tells your body to store more fat)
• increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, etc.
• weakened immune system
• overall quality of life lessened

If left untreated, sleep deprivation can lead to serious health conditions such as: heart attack, stroke, obestity, etc.

Sleep and technology

– aside from the usual stresses of our daily routines, modern technology keeps us awake into the wee hours as well

– it is believed that the light from our devices can interfere with melatonin, a hormone which helps control the natural sleep-wake cycle

So how can we have better sleep?

– keep a scheduled pattern of sleep

– avoid light/noise from electronics at bedtime, and if you do have to read devices in bed, at least lower the light intensity and hold it further away from your face

-it may sound obvious, but try to increase the amount of time you sleep or improve the quality

-try to test your natural sleeping habits by sleeping in for a few days in a row and seeing when you would wake up naturally

– take under 30-min naps

-get extra sleep before a big event which you know will impact your sleep

-working out, or medications prescribed by your doctor can'temporarily help, but they do not make up for good quality, real sleep 

So how many hours should we be getting anyways?

– Mayo Clinic suggests adults need about 7-8 hours/night, children 9-11 hours, babies 9-10 hours plus 2-3 hours of naps

– other factors can influence whether you need more sleep at various stages of life, such as pregnancy, aging, etc.

– always consult your doctor regarding your individual sleep schedule and needs..

For further information, please consult the Toronto Public Library Health Databases and the following books: